Donald Ross Design Wannamoisett Rhode Island | Golf Club Atlas RI, USA Green Keeper: Mark Daniels All any architect can do is get the most from the property with which he is given to work. In that regard, Donald Ross set one of the gold standards in golf course architecture with his work at Wannamoisett. Above is a view across the second green to the famous one shot third hole. The Wannamoisett golf course in Rumford, Rhode Island has everything and yet the property didnâ€™t. The fact that Donald Ross managed to get so much out of seemingly so little is testimony to his skill as an architect (it is also testimony to the fact that his Rhode Island summer office wasnâ€™t far away). It is well documented that Wannamoisett occupies only 104 acres. What isnâ€™t as well known is the variety that Ross enthused into each hole. The two-shot holes in particular are a fascinating mix and taken as a group, they are of singular merit. There are several monstrously difficult par fours, two of them (the second and ninth) requiring forced carries over gullies.

On the shorter length par fours like the fifth and seventh, the golfer may well hit the green only to appear foolish as his putt from the back rolls off the front. In between, there is a host of fine two shotters that are nicely varied. The art of fairway bunkering is alive and well at Wannamoisett . There are fifty-six fairway bunkers on the front nine alone (compare that to Augusta National for instance). Not only is length required off most tees, but the better golfer is always given something to do. Can he fade the tee ball around the bunkers on the inside of the fifth hole? Can he rifle a straight shot down the seventh fairway, avoid six fairway bunkers and stay on a ridge? Can he draw it up the throat of the tenth fairway? Does he carry the pond at the fourteenth with a driver or lay off to the left? Decisions, decisions, which is exactly what makes any course fun not just on the first round but for many thereafter. At Wannamoisett , once you are in the fairway, the fun is just beginning.

The approach shots vary from a hard chasing shot that runs onto the first green to flying the brook at the second, to hitting a plateau green on the third; you get the point. Ross excelled (even for him) in the green site selections at Wannamoisett . Many good golfers will tell you that these are among Rossâ€™s two or three finest sets of greens. Whatâ€™s ironic about that is that Wannamoisett came relatively earlier in Rossâ€™s career. Later, he would build some wildly sophisticated greens like at Mountain Ridge and Plainfield in New Jersey with six feet plus of back to front slope and wild interior contour. Still, the ones at Wannamoisett are so varied and seem to flow so effortlessly out of the ground that they are beyond reproach. In part, credit is due to the club for having been such a good steward over the decades as all the original random undulations remain; the greens have never been touched, except to expand them out in their original size. Ross expert Ron Forse has been working with the club since 2008 and has come to marvel at the variety found within the greens.

As he states, ‘some of the greens like the second and tenth are hunkered down while others like the first and fourth are set at grade and then some of Ross’s very best are the ones found on natural plateaus like the fifth and seventh. All in all, the natural setting of the green sites makes Wannamoisett remarkable.’ Hitting the correct shot that allows the golfer to stay on the right side of the hole is an exercise in skill. Given todayâ€™s conditioning of the greens and their pacing, the golfer will soon appreciate the value of keeping the ball below the hole. The praise generally heaped on Invernessâ€™s small undulating greens is equally deserved here. Ross does a particularly fine job of rotating what he asks the golfer to do. At the tenth, the golfer may elect to land his ball some ten yards short of the punchbowl green and have it bound on. On the very next hole, Ross walled off the entrance to the green. The cumulative result from the tee until the putt drops is a course that is good enough to test the best.

Since 1962, Wannamoisett has hosted the Northeast Amateur, one of the most prestigious and important amateur events conducted in the United States. The course is closed for a week and the members open their home doors to the contestants. The list of past champions from Ben Crenshaw to David Duval attests to the quality of the design. Holes to Note First hole, 430 yards; Be ready is all we can say. While waiting to play during a rain delay, several members approached the author and said words to the effect of â€˜Donâ€™t be too discouraged. After the fourth hole, you will be OK .â€™ What a strange way to introduce your course and yet they were absolutely right. Speaking of rain, that’s a non-issue for Wannamoisett as the property is blessed with sandy soil throughout. The rock clusters that Ross would later bury underground at other New England stand-out courses like Salem Country Club and Essex County weren’t a factor. No doubt the quality of the sandy loam soil was a big help to Ross when he started crafting the greens and some of their subtle slopes like the ones found here at the first.

In turn, these subtler features play so well because of the consistently firm playing conditions that Green Keeper Mark Daniels achieves from the sandy soil. True lay of the land architecture involves shots like this with the flag barely visible above the brow of a hill. Too many modern architects would make a heinous cut in the fairway to provide perfect visuals of the putting surface - and what a shame that would be as the charm/mystery on the approach shot would be diluted. Forse restored this pair of bunkers that Ross had built into two mounds that guard either side of the first green. While Ross would stop building bunkers in such an artificial manner by the 1920s, such eccentric features are why some students of architecture prefer Ross's courses built in the first half of his career to the more conventional ones later on. Second hole, 505 yards; ‘Ferocious start’ and ‘ Wannamoisett ‘ go hand in hand which is ironic because that wasn’t the case when the course first opened in 1916.

At the time, this 465 yard hole was a par five (as was the ninth) with a majority of golfers forced to lay-up of a gulley and brook short of the green. Of course, even in this day of 460cc drivers as opposed to the hickory clubs back then, many of us still treat the second as a par five! This is especially true ever since Ron Forse found room to add a new back tee in 2009, adding forty yards to the hole. At over 500 yards in length, top amateurs get a quick introduction to the fact that this par 69 course packs quite the punch. If the golfer's tee ball doesn't find the fairway at the second, most elect to lay-up short of the gulley and care then needs to be taken not to get in this string of bunkers down the right side. The steps in the foreground signify how the fairway runs out sixty-five yards short of the green. Another view of the second green. Notice the potato chip waves in the putting surface.

Third hole, 135 yards; Ross was a fan of â€™scooped-out pitsâ€™ and this hole is a prime example. One large bunker materializes out of the hillside on the left and sweeps around in front of the built-up plateau green that falls away steeply to the right. You either find the small target off the tee or you have an interesting recovery shot – and the small target is just plain difficult to find. A hole of this length that requires precision is the perfect foil to the mugging the first two holes provide. The Donald Ross Society thinks so much of it (and the course) that the third is their logo. The pushed up, 3,200 square foot third green is tightly defended, entirely appropriate for a hole of modest length. Don't even think about chasing after the back right hole location that Forse and the club have recently recovered as the tight grass to the right of the green leaves a very difficult recovery. Fourth hole, 440 yards; Given that Wannamoisett came early in Rossâ€™s career, there wasnâ€™t any certainty as to what design principles he would necessarily apply here.

Yes, his background from Dornoch and his superlative work at Essex County Club boded well but penal courses like Oakmont carried great sway pre-World War One. If there was ever any doubt though, Ross from this earliest days embraced strategic design elements and that penchant is showcased with the bunkering at the fourth. Talented golfers who avoid the fifty-eight yard long bunker that hugs the inside left of the fairway are rewarded with a clear shot to a green that is open in front. However, standing on the tee, most of us steer right away from the out of bounds and from that long, snaking bunker. In turn, we are left with a semi-blind approach over a large bunker that is 100 yards from the center of the green. Not only does depth perception become an issue but Ross used that forward bunker to mask two smaller bunkers on the right of the green that gather as many approach shots as the green. Does the golfer who can shape his tee ball from right to left appreciate the advantage that he gains? Absolutely. Hence, better amateur players are as quick to mention Wannamoisett as any course in the golf rich northeast of the United States.

The holes hit the landforms in all sorts of ways. As opposed to carrying the gulley with one's approach at the second, the golfer must now carry it off the tee at the fourth. Ross's bunker 'style' resists being stereotyped at Wannamoisett, which speaks well as to the variety of shapes and sizes that he employed. This bunker to the left of the fourth fairway is much longer than it is wide and the fourth fairway bends around it. Fifth hole, 370 yards; The property line that borders the fourth and fifth holes is essentially straight and yet Ross saw to it that the fourth bends to the left and the fifth bends to the right, thereby avoiding the sense of monotony that frequently accompanies one straightaway hole after another. In this case, Ross built three fairway bunkers with tall faces and then bent the fifth fairway to the right around them. While Wannamoisett wasnâ€™t feature rich, it did have a dominant ridge that ran through a third of its mid-section. Ross seized on it where ever possible, starting here with a knob of a green.

As a sign of his efficiency, he also found room on this 300 yard long rise for the eighth tee, seventh green, twelfth green, fifteenth green and sixteenth tee. In particular, his handiwork at the fifth and seventh green complexes stands out. Ross's distinctive fairway bunkering with its tall grass faces forces the golfer to stay to the left. If ever a course plays to its full yardage, it's Wannamoisett. Opened for play in 1916, the superb green complex at the fifth is as sure a sign as any that Ross was an immense talent. Few courses in the United States feature shorter green to tee walks than at Wannamoisett. Pictured above is the left edge of the fifth green with the sixth tee just six paces away! 1000+ images about Augusta National Fairways on Pinterest | Sport golf, Masters golf and Plays A tradition like no other, the Masters... oops, how did that get here? Well, we love golf and we love the majors. Augusta is a bit far from Bend, but we think that course would be awesome to play on...

See More RACV Healesville - Golf Course Reviews - thegolfforum.com Location:Melbourne Posted 20 March 2011 - 09:08 PM The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is a large organisation. Within the various services it provides (insurance, travel, and a plethora of others) there exists a Club within a Club. Members of the RACV Club have the opportunity to enjoy a host of facilities throughout Victoria (Cape Schanck, Torquay, Inverloch, CBD, Healesville, Cobram) and even Royal Pines on the Gold Coast. The RACV Healesville Country Club is situated in the Yarra Valley - a 75 minute drive from Melbourne. The Country Club possesses 80 brand new fully appointed accommodation rooms, adjoining great conference facilities. Numerous dining rooms and cafï¿½ areas, a library, sports bar, day spa, fitness centre, games room, billiards room and swimming pool too. There's tennis courts, a three rink bowling green, a croquet lawn, and even a giant outdoor jumping pillow for young kids!

But what takes us there is the golf course, which includes a new four hole short course. Mike Clayton's course design firm was charged with the task of rejuvinating the existing course several years ago. Sitting on clay soils, the course traverses some nicely undulating land, which generates typical Australian bush land vistas. Hills in the distance, and gums on either side of the fairways. The course was not designed to host professional tournaments. It was designed first and foremost with repeat member play in mind. The RACV member demographic no doubt encompasses a broad age range, and likely an even broader spread of golfing skill and frequency of play. The course measures 4872m from the back marks (4272m for women), at par 68. The fairways are generously wide, with no forced carries. The greens are an absolute blast - dramatic and undulating, providing endless fun and challenge. They're playable for all, yet demand accuracy and respect from regular golfers trying to post a good score. The course is resultantly a perfect fit for the majority of the RACV Club members for whom it was designed.

Several years ago, Mike Clayton suggested "It's 5500 yards and the aim was to make a course where Geoff Ogilvy, his dad and his mum could play off the same tees and all really enjoy it.

There are enough really fun shots on and around the greens for Geoff to enjoy it - as well as a couple of long 3s, short but interesting 4s and a couple of longish two-shotters to give him some difficult long shots." The card reads like this - #1 Par 4 328m Index 4 #2 Par 3 134m Index 13 #3 Par 4 335m Index 6 #4 Par 3 176m Index 8 #5 Par 4 351m Index 1 #6 Par 4 302m Index 10 #7 Par 4 348m Index 3 #8 Par 5 423m Index 12 #9 Par 4 287m Index 16 Out Par 35 2684m #10 Par 3 130m Index 17 #11 Par 3 163m Index 11 #12 Par 4 265m Index 18 #13 Par 3 141m Index 14 #14 Par 4

 341m Index 2 #15 Par 5 421m Index 5 #16 Par 3 125m Index 15 #17 Par 4 298m Index 7 #18 Par 4 304m Index 9 In Par 33 2188m Total Par 68 4872m and the route plan The first hole is a 328m dog leg right par 4, playing uphill.

The drive is bunkerless, as are several other through the round. The green is tough to visualise on the uphill approach. 1st tee shot 1st approach If time didn't permit a visit to the practice putting green pre-round, the first green is enough to indicate what sort of putting challenges lie in wait. Boldly contoured, and divided into distinct segments, the first green possesses a bold rise within its back left quarter. The "greens within a green" concept is executed so well and so consistently at Healesville - a real feature of the course. Most greens are bunkered, and the first possesses a left side trap, and another at the rear. The hazard on the right (which when viewed from the fairway seems adjacent to the green) is more than 30m short of the green front. This too is a cool feature frequently encountered through the round. 1st hole, from green rear back down the fairway 1st green, viewed from right MM "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works.

You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 20 March 2011 - 09:49 PM The second hole at RACV is the first of the course's 6 par 3 holes. This one plays 134m uphill, with a putting surface almost completely unsighted from the tee. 2nd tee shot Bunkering cut into the rise short left of the green is a little short of the putting surface. One of the smallest and flattest greens on the course, it still possesses some nice internal movement. Chipping from behind the green can be tough, with loads of short grass around the putting surface. 2nd green, from rear "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 20 March 2011 - 10:01 PM The third is a 335m downhill, straight, unbunkered par 4 with a big green. Sounds boring right? 3rd tee shot Well, it looks harmless enough, despite the fairway being canted a little left to right. There's a small knoll short left of the green which can complicate things. And the green is strongly contoured into three distinct zones. Errant approaches yielding putts from one zone to another will more often than not result in bogey. Going long on approach isn't great either. 3rd green 3rd green, from rear "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 20 March 2011 - 10:06 PM The 4th hole is a drop shot par three of 176m. On first glances, it appears similar to the 4th at Titirangi. The tee shot is played to a large green, which features a marked longitudinal ridge dividing the green into an upper right two thirds, and a lower left third. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 06:53 AM The greens are an absolute blast - dramatic and undulating, providing endless fun and challenge.

They're playable for all, yet demand accuracy and respect from regular golfers trying to post a good score. The course is resultantly a perfect fit for the majority of the RACV Club members for whom it was designed. This is almost exactly how I described the course to NLS when I got home. For those of you who get the idea I'm shit canning the place, incorrect, I just don't think it's top 25 material, it's good fun and a surprisingly easy walk and a nice place to play, it has plenty of everything for everyone, it's just not going to nudge many courses to far down the rankings (for what ever rankings are worth) Recycling day makes me feel more like an alcoholic than regular days. Posted 21 March 2011 - 07:39 AM Glad you guys enjoyed the course. The greens complexes seem like they were a talking point. They were designed to be on the bold side - as you pointed out they are its best defence - but its rare that you find yourself in an impossible position. Even on 18 if you find yourself on the wrong side of the horseshoe you can putt your ball around the central bunker.

A lot of time was spent looking at all the different scenarios and making sure there was a slope or a rise which you could use as a backstop or which could help feed the ball close to the hole. When they're firm and fast they're more effective as a defense but also much more fun, as you can feed the ball in off the slopes as was the intent. I think they also give the player with a good imagination a significant advantage.' Mike Posted 21 March 2011 - 08:02 AM Glad you guys enjoyed the course. The greens complexes seem like they were a talking point. They were designed to be on the bold side - as you pointed out they are its best defence - but its rare that you find yourself in an impossible position. Even on 18 if you find yourself on the wrong side of the horseshoe you can putt your ball around the central bunker. A lot of time was spent looking at all the different scenarios and making sure there was a slope or a rise which you could use as a backstop or which could help feed the ball close to the hole.

When they're firm and fast they're more effective as a defense but also much more fun, as you can feed the ball in off the slopes as was the intent. I think they also give the player with a good imagination a significant advantage.' Mike mjc You don't see fescue striped all that offen, do you think it takes away from the appeal at all. Great looking course by the way. Love the flag sticks. Harley, Harley, Harley. Posted 21 March 2011 - 08:43 AM Danny, Absolutely. Stripes take away from the what your trying to get the golfer to focus on ahead of them. Given that we're striving to make the course feel as natural as possible all those lines conspire to do exactly the opposite. My approach to maintenance is one of simplicity. Simple mowing lines (there's nothing wrong with a straight line), no stripes, as little cut rough as you can get away with, tees and fairways cut at the same height and greens and tees linked with short grass wherever possible. In Australia we're caught right between the UK and America.

Those that fall on the side of the great links courses are easily the best - both to look at and to play - but unfortunately there are a lot that creep over to the other side of the line. Unfortunately like design, presentation is largely subjective. Lots of people think stripes look great and that stepped rough adds definition. Mike Gender:Male Posted 21 March 2011 - 09:15 AM I did find myself with an impossible putt on 8 (? the par 5) with a bunker between me and the hole and the slope taking it away towards the burn. If I were defending a score I would have got the wedge out and dug a hole in your green, but the day being what it was I was happy enough to take a 3 putt bogey. I reckon 17 was the scariest pin position over the back there. It felt like I was trying to stop on the downslope of the far side of a roof. Memorable greens for me were 3, 5, 6, 8, 15,16, 17 and 18 - heck that's a long list. Maybe there is something to the place.

I really like the way 15 and 16 join up around that burn with all that fairway across to the 16th tee. A woman is only a woman, but hefty drive is a slosh. - PG Wodehouse. Posted 21 March 2011 - 10:01 AM Danny, Absolutely. Stripes take away from the what your trying to get the golfer to focus on ahead of them. Given that we're striving to make the course feel as natural as possible all those lines conspire to do exactly the opposite. My approach to maintenance is one of simplicity. Simple mowing lines (there's nothing wrong with a straight line), no stripes, as little cut rough as you can get away with, tees and fairways cut at the same height and greens and tees linked with short grass wherever possible. In Australia we're caught right between the UK and America. Those that fall on the side of the great links courses are easily the best - both to look at and to play - but unfortunately there are a lot that creep over to the other side of the line. Unfortunately like design, presentation is largely subjective. Lots of people think stripes look great and that stepped rough adds definition.

Mike I think I can remember you once saying that Kauri Cliffs had something like 6-7 different heights of cut and they were proud of it. Barnbougle Dunes had/has 3. greens, tees/fairways/green surrounds and rough. I know which one I prefer. Harley, Harley, Harley. Gender:Male Posted 21 March 2011 - 10:08 AM I think I can remember you once saying that Kauri Cliffs had something like 6-7 different heights of cut and they were proud of it. Barnbougle Dunes had/has 3. greens, tees/fairways/green surrounds and rough. I know which one I prefer. DNG I agree with the sentiment. I had trouble at BD finding the rough which had been cut. Marram grass yes, rough rarely found, apart from the island on 8 fairway and a bit of a fringe on some bunkers. The lack of 'rough' at BD is also in line with mjc's sentiments. mjc gracias senor. I wish I had been at Healesville.

Benje Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 07:41 PM The fifth hole is a par 4 of 351m. The hole bends gently to the left, around a solitary fairway bunker. Drives less than 200m yield a blind approach. This point, and the fact that this is the longest par 4 on the course, sees the fifth play as index #1. 5th tee shot The approach is played to a wonderful kidney bean shaped green. Slopes right and beyond the green feed the ball back towards the hole. Approaches played too long may find a lone bunker beyond the green. 5th approach Approach shots coming up short, or played with too much spin, trundle down a slope which drops away quickly from the central portion of the green. Looking back down the 5th fairway MM "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 07:57 PM The sixth is a 302m par 4 - a wonderfully simple hole. It is also sure to be criticised by those who don't score well on it. A small trap on the left of the fairway requires a 120m carry, and isn't really in play for most of us. The solitary trap 215m out on the right is where all the action should be. 6th tee shot The green is bunkered on the left, and the putting surface is characterised by a large knoll on it's front left segment. The further right the tee shot is played, the easier the approach shot. Drives played to the left will invariably see a tough second shot, and sometimes an even tougher third. 6th approach Several holes on The Old Course at St. Andrews feature sizeable undulations within their greens, or in the areas immediately prior. Holes 2 and 4 come to mind.

Approach is best made after placing a drive with the undulation foremost in mind. The concept is employed here. And what's wrong with asking someone to hit an accurate tee shot on a short, reasonably wide hole? MM "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 08:07 PM The par 4 348m seventh plays through a wide fairway, uphill towards a large sweeping green. 7th tee shot A single bunker sits on the left of the fairway, and on approach looks to be adjacent to the putting surface. The hazard is a few dozen metres short of the front edge of the green, like many on the course. They all do a good job of lulling one into thinking the approach is shorter than it actually is.

The generous green features more subtle and sweeping contours than many others on the course. It is more than 40m deep, and features a very nicely constructed false front. 7th green "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Posted 21 March 2011 - 08:27 PM benno - I understand it's tough for non RACV Club members to get a game. I phoned twice in the first year the course was open and got a flat 'no' from the pro shop. Maybe some of the forum members who are members could PM you and organise something? The par 5 eighth hole descends the rise climbed by the preceding hole. At 423m downhill, it is eminently reachable. But the green is treacherous. And a diagonal water hazard must be negotiated before any putting's to be done.

8th tee shot The solitary right side fairway bunker requires a 200m carry from the tee. Those playing a second from near this hazard are presented with this view. The diagonal creek meanders through the fairway from left to right, eventually hugging the right side of the green. Drives of 300m and longer may trickle into the creek, which appears much closer to the tee than it actually is. Many TGF members will simply hit a mid or short iron second to the green, and hunt an eagle putt. The shot in best be accurate, as there are distinct greens within the green. Each quadrant is sharply defined, and putting from one to another is not often easy. 8th approach Many regular RACV Club golfers will face a decision with their second shot - pins on the left side of the green may be best approached from the right, and vice versa. Where to place a second shot? When to cross the creek? What distance to leave for a third shot? View from 8th green to 8th fairway The green itself is large, with much of it's right half sloping towards the water hazard immediately right.

A large left side bunker intrudes upon the putting surface to such an extent that balls on the front left quadrant are unable to be putted to the hole when it is cut back left. A cool feature, yet some will not like it. 8th green On a course with several stand-out holes of high quality, this may be the pick for most. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 09:16 PM The final hole on the front nine at Healesville is another short 4 - 287m in length. The fairway tilts a little from left to right, and most tee shots will fall right, a point which yields the less desirable approach position. Again (unsurprisingly) the area from which approaches are best made is where a lone fairway bunker stands sentinel.

9th tee shot Those trying to drive the green and falling short face this 50m bunker shot. The ninth green is a more simple affair than most on the course, but is deceptively well contoured, with another good false front seen at the right of the green. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Posted 21 March 2011 - 09:43 PM The back nine at RACV Healesville starts out with consecutive par 3s. The tenth (130m) is a pretty looking hole with deep flanking bunkers pinching the front portion of the green. The seemingly safe and more expansive putting area towards the back of the green is quite intricately contoured, and more than enough to keep some scratching their heads.

10th tee shot The eleventh affords much less visibility of the green from the tee. Playing 163m, the lone bunker plays tricks with distance perception, sitting shorter of the green than most expect. Lots of short grass around the green, and a neat little collection point short right of the putting surface. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 10:05 PM The twelfth hole at Healsville is another hole of high quality. A par 4 of 265 metres. Bunkered sparingly, but intelligently, with a ton of width, loads of options, more than enough temptation and a good green. The putting surface is reachable from the tee, but despite looking manageable enough, there's trouble near the green.

And, acres of fairway begging to be hit! The green is angled slightly across the axis of the hole, and constructed such that pins on the right are best attacked from the left of the fairway, and vice versa. As the picture below illustrates, when going right off the tee, it's much more straight forward a task approaching a pin on the left, rather than one on the green's right, tucked over the rise, adjacent to the guarding bunker. The green is more subtly cotoured than most on the course. A small sheft sits just beyond the front right bunker, such that those suckered into driving the green with a flag just beyond the bunker had better land soft. Too strong a shot in - the ball trundles down the slope, towards the green's centre and rear bunkers. On a course boasting more than a handful of high calibre holes, this is a genuine star. A high quality, strategic hole, yet owing to it's simplicity, may fly under the radar. The hole's geometry is very similar to the stellar 14th at Lost Farm, yet the green complex here is more sophisticated, exerting greater influence upon tee shot line. This hole would sit proudly on any Sandbelt course.

"It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 21 March 2011 - 10:29 PM The 13th is the penultimate par 3 of the day. Playing 141m, ever so slightly uphill. The large facing bunker generates an intimidating appearance to a relatively straight-forward shot. The green is artfully divided into front and back portions by a ridge which wanders through the green. Again, lots of short grass around the green, making for a broad variety of recovery options. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 22 March 2011 - 08:08 PM The next hole is a 341m par 4. A generous and unbunkered fairway lies in wait. The green is hemmed in by bunkers at all four corners, necessitatng an accurate approach. Particularly if the pin is cut in the narrow section of green pinched between the two front bunkers. From the fairway, the green appears to open out at the rear, yet it drops away quite quickly. Putts played to this bigger portion of green invariably produce lengthier and more testing first putts. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 22 March 2011 - 08:30 PM Uppy, I tend to agree with you. Going right when the pin is left, and vice versa, may be a little help, but not essential, as many will have a wedge in hand for approach. I do recall feeling a little ho-hum on that tee. The walk from 14 to 15 provides the chance to grab a drink and maybe some more balls, courtesy of the enterprising children living adjacent to the course! The fifteenth will be judged the best hole on the course by many. An unbunkered hole, it is a 421m par 5, which features a stream wandering through the length of the hole. The fairway is expansive, and the creek can't be more than a few metres wide at most points, yet it's effect on decision making and driving is great. Where best to go? Can I get home in two? Should I challenge the creek on the drive? The further left the drive is played, the better the angle into the green.

The portion of fairway right of the creek is more generous. This is what you see after a reasonable drive. The creek is much further from the green front than it appears. Long approaches played from this point can fall dozens of metres short of the green and remain dry. There's a broad lay-up area right of the green, leaving a wedge third for those who aren't long, or who didn't drive their best. This area still necessitates clearing the creek on approach, as the green's right edge is nestled hard against the water hazard. The safer / further from the creek the lay up is played, the worse the approach angle. The green features a "scooped out" segment through much of the middle segment of the green, almost making it a Biarritz in style. It's much like the depression within the left of the new green on 11 at The Lakes. The rear of the green is a higher plateau. This makes for interesting chipping and putting, while also demanding an accurate second from the longer, more skilled golfer aiming for eagle or birdie. This is a fun, dramatic, individual hole, where anything from 3 to 7 can be had (and was among our boys on the day).

Yet another hole of real class. It owes much of it's quality to construction, as well as design skill and imagiation, as if the creek appeared synthetic, the hole would lose much of it's charm. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 22 March 2011 - 08:46 PM The 16th is the final par 3 of the day. At 125m it will be a short iron or wedge for most. Placed innocuously on a flat, uninspiring segment of land, where one could so easily exit the 15th green, and walk to where the 17th tee sits. Yet this hole is another of quality, sits comfortably on the land, and within the routing, and is potentially of famous lineage.

The creek encountered on the previous hole meanders along, fronting the 16th green. Short grass extends from tee to hazard. The green is quite a wide target, yet not overly deep. It sits across the axis of the hole, slightly obliquely (8 o'clock to 2 o'clock), with its surface tilted from back to front. A bunker sits at the rear of the green. I don't think it's too much to suggest that 16 at Healesville is a copy of a famous, slightly longer par 3 we see on TV every year. So much of this hole plays the same. Yet - I can't believe Clayton would be involved in a homage to the boys at Augusta National... Looking back to the 16th tee "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 22 March 2011 - 09:52 PM The seventeenth is yet another great short par 4, and at 298m will feel reachable for some. The fairway is again wide, and a lone left side fairway bunker obscures the green from view to those on the tee. But the flag is visible above the top line of the hazard, and it waves temptingly. A direct line over the bunker is required if eagle putts are sought. Those falling short face a tricky chip, as a knoll within the left of the green repells balls to the right, and the green contours also feed off to the front and back of the putting surface. Many golfers may elect to aim well right of the green, playing safe, into the broad fairway. The green sits adjacent to a small scrubby rise, and is yet another with terrific undulation and fun putting. "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them.

Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards. You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Location:Melbourne Posted 22 March 2011 - 10:41 PM The final hole at Healesville is a show-stopper. A 304m par 4, played from an elevated tee, into a broad valley, then up to a wild, imaginative green. The fairway is bisected by a long, slender bunker which ascends towards the green. The left flank of the fairway is also bunkered, but transversely, presenting a carry of 220m. Driving into the skinny central fairway bunker presents this view and a 60m uphill sand shot The green on the home hole is amazing. A boomerang shape, with a caverous front bunker sitting in between the left and right wings of the green. A clear head is required on the tee, as drives are best placed on the same side of the fairway as the pin.

The pressure is also on approach play, with great undulation and unique geometry of the green presenting it's share of challenges. Chipping and putting from the back of the green is tougher than it looks. And putting from one wing of the green, all the way up and around the bunker, back down onto the other side of the green, is quite possible. What a dramatic completion to the round. RACV Healesville is a perfect template for future course design and construction. It successfully addresses so many of the ills in our game today. We lament the escalating cost of land acquisition necessitated by far flying balls and modern clubs. And the increasing time a round takes when walking modern, lengthy courses. Such layouts are costly to build, and expensive to maintain. They often aren't much fun. Especially for beginners, the aeging golfers, and the less skilled. They do little to stimulate greater participation in the sport. Yet here is a course which was completely renovated, and shortened by around 100 yards! With a modest 38 bunkers. The greens are imaginative, fun, challenging, and unique. The fairways are wide, and several are devoid of hazards. Short grass encompasses most greens.

The course is playable for all, and facets are enjoyable and stimulating for those on handicaps of 1, through to those with handicaps over 30, and even beginners. Brains are rewarded much more so than brawn. The demographic to which the course appeals may be one of the widest of all courses on Earth. From an economic viewpoint, the shorter and sparingly bunkered course is easier to upkeep. Especially with the maintenance practices sugested by Clayton's design firm specifying simple mowing, with tees, fairways and surrounds all one height. If only this advice was followed I can't help but think that Healesville provides an experience enjoyed by those playing Augusta National in the early days of the course's life. Exciting water hazards, boldly contoured greens with wickedly breaking putts. A course of manageable length and less bunkers than convention would dictate. Wide fairways with minimal rough, where thoughtful placement of drives was rewarded, all on a course covering picturesque undulating contryside. Some might scoff at a par 68 course almost a mile shorter than historic local tournament venues. Yet the intelligent golfer will look at Healesville and marvel at the quality of so many holes.

5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are all of high calibre. Collectively, they may lift a sub-5000m par 68 course into the nation's Top 50. If offerred a game at Healesville, or any of the courses recognised as sitting around #30 to #50 in the country, I wouldn't hesitate to grab the clubs and drive to the Yarra Valley. Putting some of Melbourne's older Sandbelt clubs' noses out of joint in the process. MM "It's balancing time at home and working out when to practise and when to spend time with them. Everybody who has kids knows from the first one it throws a fair spanner in their works. You realise how time-rich you were before, and how little time you've got afterwards.

You have to get better at time management, which never really mattered before, and now it does." - Geoff Ogilvy Gender:Male Posted 23 March 2011 - 06:52 AM Great review Matt, the course is super fun and for the first time ever 2 of my 3 favourite holes are par 5's. I always like short par 4's the best but the extra questions posed by 8 & 15 were certainly highlights of the round. 18 was a showstopper, an absolute world class hole and 12 was the best of the 4's for mine. Greens were exciting & laugh out loud over the top at times, I think they are the signature feature of the course. I'm looking into RACV club membership at the moment simply off the back of the course, I can't wait to get back there again. Note - I am not bullying you Gender:Male Posted 23 March 2011 - 07:15 AM Now I've had some time to separate my performance on the day from my thoughts on the course I think I really like the closing 4 holes.

All of them contain tests of nerve rather than being the long, brutal slogs that I think is the curse of recent architecture. 15 has the short road down the left while you flirt with the creek. 16 will always feel like the pin is 2 steps past the creek and good luck if you end up in the back bunker. 17 requires some real skill to hold the green 18 seems to have more options on how to play it as you stand on the tee than anything I can remember. You can lay up left, middle or right, you can go a bit longer left or right, or you can have a crack at the green if you are long like Taz. Uppy or 2-Dogs - did you take any photos of the short course? If so, can you share them please, because the boys should see what they missed. 1 and 3 down there highlights and on a quiet day you could turn the 4 holes into a dozen or more. A woman is only a woman, but hefty drive is a slosh. - PG Wodehouse.

2938 posts Posted 23 March 2011 - 07:20 AM From an outsider looking in that has not seen the place I can only imagine the greens were built "over the top" to create some added excitement at the end of the golf hole and provide some serious teeth. How would that course be rated and enjoyed if there were flattish and tame greens ? I'm guessing it would be too much of a pushover. I remember working with Ross at Pacific Harbour on a dead flat site and early on in the peace he decided to go a little "over the top" with the putting surfaces as with mundane and uninteresting greens it would have just blended in with the other Sunshine Coast Courses. Now of course PH is a totally different animal to Healesville but I'm sure they both will endure some criticism of excessively bumpy greens. Which leads me to my usual dilemma. I can see so much at Healesville that is sensational yet so much of it is such a hard sell to most club committee guys. I struggle every day with fights about Par 72 and lengthening layouts and of course that magical word..the RATING number.

I'm sure Clayts and Mike had a much smoother ride out there with the RACV and I trust there weren't not too many committee guys pushing the length or rating argument. I envy the design team for having such a hindrance free run (if this was in fact the case). I can't wait to come down and check the joint out. Just dip once....then end it ! Posted 23 March 2011 - 08:38 AM Thanks for the review Matt for those of us that couldn't be there. It looks like a lot of fun. Short 4s are my favourite holes, and the ones here certainly look interesting. It would be great to have several opportunities to play there though, I think it would take time to play the holes using all of the different options - there is a fair chance I would try driver on all of them though the first time. from the pics I can see plenty of similarities with Clayton's work at Peninsula, particularly with the meandering creek so similar to the one on Pen Sth 1 and 5, and the use of the diagonal bunkering in the fairways of some of the short 4s.

Question: On which famous golf course would you find the twelfth hole at the edge of Rae's Creek
Answer: Augusta